Consumer Traveler

Deadly storm brings snow, tornadoes

Deadly storm brings snow, tornadoes — Residents of the Plains states huddled for cover early Thursday as a major storm system that has killed at least two people moved through the region, bringing heavy snow and tornadoes to some areas. (AP)

Delta to battle JetBlue on NY-Nantucket route — A month after JetBlue said it would begin seasonal summer service from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Nantucket, Delta said yesterday that it will offer its own JFK-Nantucket flights from June 14 through Sept. 8. (The Boston Globe) (Registration required.)

United Airlines launches first D.C. to Beijing route — One month after winning federal approval for a coveted non-stop route to China, United Airlines launched its inaugural flight Wednesday from Washington’s Dulles International Airport to Beijing to the applause of passengers. (AP)

No luggage, no refund — Jim Mesick and his wife make the flight to Montego Bay, but their luggage doesn’t. When they pay $133 for new clothes and toiletries, and ask their airline for a reimbursement, they’re turned down. The reason? They went shopping too soon. Or did they? (Christopher Elliott on Tripso)

Inaugural flights draw airline ‘geeks’ — Andrew Gibbons will spend the next 38 of 48 hours on airliners — for fun. The 29-year-old Northern Californian, who admits to being an airline geek, simply couldn’t pass up the chance to fly on United Airlines’ inaugural flight from Washington’s Dulles International Airport to Beijing yesterday. (The Washington Post)

Want to help? Go on a trip — More Americans are starting to feel the same way about vacations with a charitable or humanitarian purpose, where they can build housing or schools, collect field data or work at a refugee camp, orphanage or archaeological dig. (AP)

Yellowstone: 720 snowmobiles a day OK? — Snowmobiles would become a permanent winter fixture in Yellowstone National Park under a proposal, drafted by park administrators and released Tuesday, that would allow 720 lower-polluting machines daily. (AP)

What’s the big idea?

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